Scootaloo: Annoyance and Poverty
I almost groaned when I saw that they were doing it again. One would look up and stare longingly at the other, only to dart down again at the slightest movement. If, through a faulty movement, they caught each other's gaze, they would dart back to the task at hand with a fierce blush. It's really start to get annoying.
‘Sup. I'm Scootaloo, and the two idiots I'm with are Apple Bloom and Sweetie belle. We are the Cutie-Mark Crusaders. Or at least we would be, if the two lovesick fools would concentrate. They've been like this for weeks. It was starting to tick me off! But I couldn't say anything about it, because it was important for the relationship that they discover it on their own and grow from the experience and blah blah and whatever else is on that list of reason Twilight had given me. I couldn't take it anymore.
“So, any ideas yet?” My friends jumped at the sound of my voice breaking their cycle just as eyes met. They both jumped at my sudden question and I almost couldn't stop myself from rolling my eyes. The both started stammering excuses and blushing. It was so annoying! I finally couldn't take anymore.
“well, I'm tired, if we don't have anything I'm going home!” I stormed out of the clubhouse and behind me I could just hear Apple Bloom.
“what's her problem?” I sighed and ignored it. The sun hadn't even begun to set; I was almost never this early getting home. Mom was gonna be surprised. Usually I'm never home before supper. The thought of food caused my stomach to gurgle loudly. It would be a while before I ate, I couldn't even stop someplace to get a snack as I didn't have any bits.
When I got home, my mom met me at the door with a tired smile. She must have heard my scooter, it tends to buzz when it get going fast enough. I went inside the house shrugged of my Cutie-Mark Crusader's cloak. I guess I should describe the place. To be honest, it's not much. Just three rooms and a bathroom. There was the living room, which Mom uses as her room. There was my room, which my mom was nice enough to let me have. And there was the kitchen; the only room in the house that was really… clean. Mom uses it as an escape, she had always wanted to be a chef at a fancy restraunt. And… that's everything. It's not big, but it's all we can afford. don't get me started on the neighborhood. Most people don't realize that ponyville has a bad neighborhood, but we live smack-dab in the middle. But it's fine, I'm a tough pony.
Mom met me at the door with a hug, which I gladly accepted. As I entered the house, I was met with the smell of toasting grass. I trotted to my room and flopped on the bed. Well, I say bed, but it's just a mattress on the floor. Mom makes sure I have all the best stuff. ...Wow, I hope that didn't sound mean, she really does. If I had it my way, she'd have the mattress and I would take the couch. We argued about it for days before I gave in. Still, if she asked for it, I would give it to her in a heartbeat. There are even times when she has passed out at the table late at night trying to manage our expenses and keep a roof over our head. When I find her like this, I always carry her to my room and lay her on my bed. I know she's never happy when I do this, but she deserves it far more than I do. She works so hard just for me.
When I was young, I used to think about running away, so she wouldn't have to pay for me. That's the main reason I'm almost never home, so I'm not in the way. I also do it so she doesn't notice that I don't eat lunch, instead slipping the bits she gives me back into her purse. The thought of food causes my stomach to growl loudly. I sighed. There are times I just want to run away from it all. One of my greatest fantasies is taking my mom far away from this neighborhood. To go far from this house and travel Equestria. A foals dream.
The next thing I knew, Mom was knocking on my door, saying that supper was ready. I guess I had fallen asleep. I rolled out of bed and trotted to the kitchen. We were having toasted grass with some kind of sauce, and it smelled delicious. We sat and ate for a few moments before my mom started to make small talk.
“So, Scoots, anything exciting happen today?” She asked, somewhat distracted. That was normal, she was always a little distracted. Who could blame her, she works at Hay Burger from five in the morning until three in the afternoon, then she cooks dinner and then has to work from six to nine. She also has a third job that she doesn't know that I know about, because I try not to think about it. Still, it's hard not to hear the rude remarks from the stallions and occasional mare who recognize her from that job. Just the thought of it makes me shiver.
You'd think with all that income we'd be pretty well off. You'd be wrong. All that money goes to gambling and drug debts… Not from Mom! Celestia, no. Mom isn't like that. No, it's from that bastard that is my father by biology only. He was a bad pony, who got his kicks by suducing young mares, just barely legal, then dropping them after a single rut. He got in a lot of trouble with the only gang in ponyville. He left town before they were able to collect on the massive debt. We were of his last connection and, as such, the gangs felt that his debt became ours. Every week, they come banging on our door, demanding money. We're left with barely enough money to pay for the small apartment. For food, we're stuck with grass that mom somehow manages to make edible.
How did I even get on the subject… oh, right. Mom, distracted, jobs, money, bastard, gangs. Talk about a fun train. I had lost my appetite.
“Mom, I'm gonna hit the hay, ‘night,” I called out, breaking the silence. Mom jumped a little before slightly nodding and bringing me in for a hug.
“it'll get better, squirt, promise. Love you,” she said, before giving me a quick kiss in the cheek.
“I know, mom. I love you too,” I replied, returning the kiss. What, got a problem? She works harder then most ponies have to in their lives. She deserves real affection, not what those disgusting ponies who frequent her… third job give her. If anyone has a problem with it, I'll kick their cutie mark right off their flank. And then beat it into their face.
I detached myself from my mom and sulked to my room. As I collapsed on my bed, my last conscious thought thought was that everything was going to be all right.
Author's Note
Well, there's the first chapter. I wanted to get away from typical stories, particularly romances. I see far to many focus solely on the relationship, and not the effects it has on people around us. With Scootaloo's home life, I've seen two main categories: Scootaloo the orphan and Scootaloo who has abusive parents. I wanted to portray her home somewhat differently. I'd like to think I succeeded...
Anyway, I'm only one person, so I'm sure I missed some grammer or spelling errors so comment any mistakes you see and I'll do my best to fix them. Until next time,
Written Pon3
